"The raw spirit of indie rock. An amplified, rocking version of ’60s protest folk. The soulful passion of the Violent Femmes and The Waterboys." All of these comparisons have been made in attempts to describe Delta Spirit, the southern California five-piece who might just be one of the most important new bands of the decade. Each description contains elements of the truth, but the real answer to the question “who is Delta Spirit?” lies within Ode to Sunshine, the band’s captivating debut. The group’s DIY ethic shines throughout the album, with songs honed razor-sharp over a year of non-stop touring across America. Opening sold-out tours for Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Cold War Kids, and Dr. Dog, the band developed a riveting live show and gained a loyal following amongst tastemaker music fans, earning them invites to national festivals like Austin City Limits, Noise Pop and Sasquatch. So it would not be an understatement to call Ode to Sunshine one of the year’s most highly-anticipated debuts. But don’t take our word for it; in the words of Delta Spirit: “If you’re feeling what I’m feeling come on, all you soul searching people come on.”
Jonathan Jameson of Delta Spirit took a few minutes out of the band’s busy touring schedule to answer a few questions about the band, their music, and Ode to Sunshine.
Where in California did the band come together? How did you meet?
We are all from Southern California. Brandon met Matt while he was singing and playing guitar by the train tracks in San Diego. The rest is boring.
Who plays what and sings? Do you trade off instruments on different songs?
Brandon plays drums and percussion. Sean plays guitar, does some percussion and hits a big drum. Jon exclusively plays bass with the occasional vocal. Kelly plays piano, hits a drum, sings, hits a trashcan, plays guitar and a high strung guitar. Matt plays guitar, sings and plays piano.
Your songs are credited to the band as a whole. Could you describe how they come together? Are the lyrics collaborative as well?
It’s always a new experience. Matt and Kelly write the lyrics with minor editing done by the band. Songs come as jams, ideas, almost complete chords, hummed notes, drum beats, etc.
Some of the songs have very infectious sing along melodies (like the ba ba ba’s in “People C’mon”). Do you envision your music as communal, for audiences to participate in as well as listen to?
Our music feels most at home when we play it with people as opposed to at people. There is a mystery to music played live. It brings us out of ourselves into something bigger, something beyond our individuality. Sometimes it happens, other times the songs are just songs.
You recorded Ode to Sunshine at a cabin in Julian, California, out in the desert east of San Diego. Did the isolation of the setting influence the vibe of the album (like say, Dylan and The Band’s Basement Tapes)?
It feels like sun, saunas, dogs, friends, Old Crow and Coke, Eli Thompson, beards, hot days, long star filled nights, good books, hikes, shorts, bbq and just the way we wanted to make our first record.
Your music has been compared to current indie rockers, ’80s punk roots bands, and sixties folk rockers. Was there any music you listened to growing up, or that you listen to now, that you hear seeping into your current sound?
We were born in the ’80s, grew up in the ’90s and have parents from the ’60s. We are proud of the bands that are making great music now. Maybe it’s like the Waterboys covering Harry Nilsson or maybe a song by the Weavers at a rally, but on tour next month with Richard Swift. We want to be found in the lineage of honest and true music that has found its way through every current of music history.
There seems to be a conscience in the music, a sense of taking responsibility for ourselves, each other, and the world. What do you feel is special about this moment in history, and this generation, and the place of music and art in society? Are you encouraged by the energy you feel coming back to you from your audiences?
There is a feeling of possibility in our age. We feel that same possibility with our band. There is a deep connection there. We don’t want to forget about the most important thing for us, which is simply making good music, but that does include being aware of what’s going on in the world as well as what’s going on in our own heads and souls. We aren’t self-aggrandizing cock rockers or activist idealist hippies. We just want to be honest about ourselves and how we see the world, not minimizing the darkness or the hope, because both are very real.
Your original DIY version of Ode to Sunshine featured austere black & white artwork, while the new cover is much warmer, with the smiling face of Dr. Thomas Payne (an uncle of one of the band members) raising a toast while at a scientific convention on bark beetles. The Rounder release also features an additional song, “Streetwalker,” which despite its somber subject features a Phil Spector / Brian Wilson groove. Do the new artwork and song show a new side to the band?
I think that before when we were looking at the album it felt kinda heavy to us and serious. About the big things in life. Like a dusty record of Kennedy speeches. But I think we realized that the true feeling of the album also included what we were feeling while making it and recording it and that those bits of summer and excitement and wonder break through every once in a while. It’s as if after listening to those sobering speeches we found the pics of the Kennedys on vacation and now it all really made sense. The light and the dark. Sometimes you have to laugh at the serious stuff to be able to do something about it.
From the opening Rubber Soul-esque acoustic guitars of “Tomorrow Goes Away” to the saloon piano-over-grunge chords of “Trashcan,” from the harmonica-driven protest waltz “People, Turn Around” to the insistent surf rock drums of “Children,” Ode to Sunshine perfectly captures the energy and hope of a new generation that’s rising like a phoenix to change the world. And with Delta Spirit providing the soundtrack, this is one revolution you can dance to.
911
Delta Spirit Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh, my Lord, it's 6am
The day ain't nothin' but a sentence paid
You work so hard and nothin' changed
The union crooks treat me like a pawn
They said to strike and I lost my job
The folks back east, they say the market's fine
When Black Tuesday comes it'll be a hit
Right out of the air into the pit
There's one out now said The President
War World 3 will make your poor horns bend
All the old boys said they could make it last
Like Vietnam without a draft
Got the best in the biz for the marketing, yeah
We'll turn the Marlboro Man into a marine
The brave youth will come from far and wide
When 911 is the battle cry
Well, this American, proud tradition
Yes, they pulled the switch and cried for vengeance
If your God forgave all of your sins
Then why would you make martyrs out of them?
For money? Or power? Or glory?
Do you even care?
The lyrics of Delta Spirit's song "911" offer a commentary on the harsh realities of American life in the modern era, with themes that are relevant even today. The song begins with a simple wish to greet friends in the morning, but the tone quickly changes to one of disillusionment as the singer reflects on the state of their life. They wake up early to a day that feels like a prison sentence, and despite their hard work, nothing changes. The union bosses treat them as disposable, and after a strike, they lose their job. The song then turns to the state of the nation, with dire predictions.
The singer warns that the current economic markets are as unstable as they were in 1929 and predicts a future Black Tuesday. There are also ominous warnings about war, with a hypothetical World War 3 that will make people's "poor horns bend." The song takes a cynical view of the government's marketing machine, who managed to convince young people to fight and die in wars like Vietnam, claiming they can also turn the Marlboro Man into a marine. The song ends with the chilling thought of martyrs being created for the sake of power or money, asking if anyone even cares.
Overall, "911" is a powerful reflection on the ways that modern American society can feel oppressive and dehumanizing while highlighting the dangers of unchecked capitalist greed and the willingness of governments to sacrifice the lives of their citizens for power and profit.
Line by Line Meaning
Say good morning to my friends
Greeting acquaintances
Oh, my Lord, it's 6am
Expressing surprise at the early time
The day ain't nothin' but a sentence paid
Feeling like the day is already predetermined
You work so hard and nothin' changed
Feeling frustrated with lack of progress despite hard work
The union crooks treat me like a pawn
Feeling unfairly manipulated by union leaders
They said to strike and I lost my job
Blaming the union's call for a strike for losing their job
The folks back east, they say the market's fine
Hearing news that contradicts their own struggles
I heard that before 1929
Cynical of positive economic predictions
When Black Tuesday comes it'll be a hit
Believing an economic crash is imminent
Right out of the air into the pit
Expecting the fall to be quick and dramatic
There's one out now said The President
Hearing rumors of potential war from political leaders
War World 3 will make your poor horns bend
Feeling like war will have a devastating impact
All the old boys said they could make it last
Cynical of politicians' promises of success in war
Like Vietnam without a draft
Comparing potential future war to past experiences
Got the best in the biz for the marketing, yeah
Noticing the manipulation and propaganda techniques for promoting war
We'll turn the Marlboro Man into a marine
Using popular culture to recruit soldiers
The brave youth will come from far and wide
Expecting young people to join the military during times of war
When 911 is the battle cry
When a national emergency is used to justify war
Well, this American, proud tradition
Critical of America's tradition of war and violence
Yes, they pulled the switch and cried for vengeance
Feeling like the country's response to tragedy is misguided
If your God forgave all of your sins
Questioning the morality of killing in the name of religion
Then why would you make martyrs out of them?
Questioning the justification for using violence to combat violence
For money? Or power? Or glory?
Asking if the motives behind war are purely selfish
Do you even care?
Questioning society's apathy towards the consequences of war
Contributed by Peyton C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Legend
Loved this song for ten years, just found the video today. Now I love this song even more.
HeyLittleWorld1
Officially one of the greatest music videos of all time.
Thurman
i love this song and its message, never have seen the video until now though and i'm laughing too hard haha
Carie Pace
HELL YES!
D Fermín
This is good. Really good XD
Pavel0MG
It's hard to believe that the last comment was 6 years ago. It's a shame that such good music is so ignored.
Colonel Wizard
why haven't people seen this more? C'mon people!
LEO THORNTON
BEST F***ING BAND EVER
gurubrand
ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha AMAZING!!!!!!!!
D Fermín
I know! It is like a curse or something, like "All good is doomed to be unknown"